Correction of Hypertelorism: Evaluation of a Modified Technique

Method: Retrospective analysis of patients treated at the Author’s center for hypertelorism with CT/NT were included in the study (n=17). Reduction of interpupillary (IP) and intercanthal (IC) distances were studied pre, postoperatively and at 1-year follow-up. Visual Analog Scale of patient’s perception of bionic vision, and sense of smell were also studied.  Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS 17.0.  Statistics are presented. P < 0.05 was considered as significant.

Result: Eight CT and nine NT fulfilled criteria. In NT, 5 in cases olfactory bulbs were preserved. There were no serious complications (e.g., cerebrospinal fluid leak, meningitis, frontal bone loss) and in one case of CT infection was observed. Facial bipartition successfully narrowed the IC 69.67± 8.44% and IP by 69.63±8.81%. At the end of 1 year, mild relapse was noticed in CT while no relapse was observed in NT. Improvement of bionic vision and sense of smell was better in NT than in CT.

Conclusion: The author’s modification has merits of an ideal frontal bar and better nasal exenteration by protecting olfactory mucosa and bulb, preventing ansomia. Moreover a substantial section of surgery was facilitated through oral cavity offering distinct advantage. Large scale studies will identify the usefulness of these easy and versatile modifications.